Issue-specific Teams that Address Substance Misuse In Our Community
Healthcare
Dr. Joseph Cohen, MD
Chair
Emergency Medicine Physician
We work to reduce the availability of prescription drugs in our community by 1) facilitating the education among our healthcare community, 2) supporting healthcare providers in following CDC safe prescribing guidelines, and 3) encouraging safe medication storage and disposal.
Policy & Enforcement
Dr. Tim Powers, Ph.D.
Chair
Criminal Justice Professional
Standardized enforcement of existing laws and policy that encourages healthy choices are proven strategies to reduce substance use. We work to advocate for alcohol and tobacco free zones and support retailers in the responsible sale of these products.
Community Outreach & Norms
The charge of this workgroup is to be the agent of collaboration with other youth serving agencies in Transylvania County. We work together to share knowledge, resources, and data so that we are more efficient in changing cultural norms surrounding youth substance use, empowering our youth to live happy, healthy, and productive lives.
Transylvania Opioid Response Team
Our goal is to create a community-supported, sustainable network to address the adverse effects of illicit drug use through harm reduction strategies.
Our members include representatives from Transylvania Public Health, EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, county commissioners, and Blue Ridge Community College, and many dedicated citizens. We welcome anyone who would like to join us in reducing the harm of opioid use disorder in Transylvania County.
Evaluation
Tara Rybka, MPH
Chair
Transylvania Public Health
This workgroup collects data to assess needs of the community, monitor progress, and measure outcomes of the C.A.R.E. coalition’s work. We work to ensure that the coalition’s efforts are targeted, strategic, and effective.
TAFFY
We are the youth-led workgroup of the coalition. We call the shots and the adults help make it happen. We speak out on teen issues through youth-led education and empowerment–tackling tough subjects such as juuling, mental health, communication skills, and Rx misuse. We work hard, but we have too much fun doing it. We are youth empowerment!